Richard Hudson, the representative for North Carolina’s District 9, said that tariffs targeting China are crucial for restoring American manufacturing and protecting U.S. workers.
“At the heart of President Trump’s tariffs is a simple goal: bringing American jobs home and standing up to China’s cheating,” said Hudson. “We’re fighting to rebuild U.S. manufacturing, strengthen our economy, and put American workers First, not the Chinese Communist Party.”
In May 2025, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his trade stance on China by implementing a 145% tariff on Chinese imports. This move aimed to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains and support U.S. manufacturing. According to The Guardian, congressional Republicans have largely supported the measure, citing national security and economic independence. Critics argue it may shrink GDP by over 1% and burden consumers with higher costs. The tariffs represent a continued effort to reshape global trade through protectionist measures.
Despite the imposition of tariffs and tax incentives starting in 2018, U.S. manufacturing jobs grew modestly, with gains of 235,000 in 2018 and only 2,000 in 2019. A report from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2025 indicates that the impact of tariffs on overall employment was limited. Some industries benefited while others were hurt by costlier imports and retaliatory tariffs. The study concludes that trade barriers alone are insufficient to revitalize manufacturing.
In 2024, the U.S. trade deficit with China expanded to $295.4 billion, up 5.8% from the previous year. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, American exports to China totaled $143.5 billion while imports reached $438.9 billion despite ongoing tariff enforcement. These figures illustrate ongoing challenges in narrowing the bilateral trade gap through protectionist policies.
Hudson has served in the U.S. House since 2013 and sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. According to the committee’s official site, he advocates for pro-manufacturing trade enforcement, domestic job growth, and regulatory reform. His legislative priorities reflect a focus on strengthening American industry and national competitiveness.
